The ethicist

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I work as a doctor within a company. I am not in any way involved in research or marketing, but I am aware that some of our products have healthy effects (eg, a margarine which lowers blood cholesterol levels). To what extent however can I ethically suggest that “my patients” (ie, our employees) use this product as opposed to any other means of lowering cholesterol?

To no extent. The conflict of interest is, as you imply, just too palpable.

Similarly, if you were a doctor at a Coca-Cola bottling plant, you’d not tout its therapeutic value to your patients. This